The Harvard Crimson (8-7-2 ECAC) completed their weekend sweep tonight, beating rival Quinnipiac (9-5-4) 3-1 at the Bright Hockey Center. Freshman forward Pier-Olivier Michaud netted the first and second goals of his career and goaltender Kyle Richter made 37 saves to backstop the Crimson to a much deserved win.
“I’m happy with the effort,” said Harvard coach Ted Donato. “I thought we played pretty solid throughout the game. Against a good Quinnipiac team I thought we were able to get out early and when we did make mistakes Kyle was excellent there and I thought it was a good solid team effort….We we able to get that five-minute power play and get off on the right foot.”
After Quinnipiac’s co-leading goal scorer Dan Travis received a game misconduct, Harvard seized their second power play opportunity and opened the scoring with 5:37 left in the first. Crimson freshman Matt McCollem took a shot from the right circle and put the puck top corner over Bud Fisher’s shoulder.
Just 2:41 later, Harvard freshman Pier-Olivier Michaud netted the first goal of his collegiate career, as he picked off the rebound from a Dave Watter’s shot and got the puck right by Fisher’s glove.
Quinnipiac came out fighting early in the second and after a triple bounce, Harvard’s Chad Morin was able to knock the rebound away from a Quinnipiac rush to neutral ice. The Bobcat’s regained possession and continued to pressure the Crimson, but Richter kept Harvard in the game, making six impressive saves in a matter of seconds.
As Harvard regained control of the puck, Michaud netted both his second goal of the game and the second goal of his career off a pass from Ian Tallett with 2:43 left to play in the second.
With the Crimson up 3-0, Quinnipiac pulled Fisher at 8:30 of the third. After holding the puck in the Crimson zone, Harvard’s Mike Taylor was able to get the puck to center Doug Rogers, who netted an empty net goal with 11:59 left to play in the third. Quinnipiac responded just forty-four seconds later while on the man advantage, as Ben Nelson scored the lone goal for the Bobcats.
“I thought we played hard,” explained Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold. “We had some tough breaks and got put in some tough situations, but that’s part of hockey, and I thought Harvard played well. Losing Dan Travis hurt us. We got some bad breaks tonight.”
Quinnipiac faces off against rivals Cornell and Colgate next weekend. The Crimson will take on Yale and Brown next weekend at the Bright Hockey center.
